Feature: Retro Redux

In his continuing quest to prove that the music of the past has a lot to offer today's music lovers, Big Geez takes time off from his busy duties as a hammock tester to write RETRO REDUX. For those who remember the songs, it's a journey into musical nostalgia that will take you to places you haven't been for a while -- not only revisiting many of your favorite songs (even those you might have forgotten), but also telling the often surprising stories of the people who made the music. For those music lovers who might have come along a little too late to have actually experienced the music of the past, it's an opportunity to see what all the fuss was about.

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Big Geez

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• Retro Redux: Ethel Smith, More Than Just A One-Hit Wonder

  There was probably even some wise guy in 18th century Vienna who dismissed Mozart as "that guy who wrote..."

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 26, 2007

• Retro Redux: Beatniks, Bongos, And Me

  There was a period during my teen years when I toyed with the idea of becoming a "beatnik"...

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 22, 2007

• Retro Redux: The Music Of Peter Gunn - Beyond Mancini

  A look at contributions made by Shelly Manne.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 18, 2007

• Retro Redux: Alabama's Randy Owen Is Only Human

  Holy Cow. Randy Owen, the lead singer of country group Alabama, has turned into a geezer!

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 14, 2007

• Retro Redux: Beatles Weren't First British Musical Invasion

  Paul, John, Ringo and George were probably still scuffling around the schoolyards of Liverpool...

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 10, 2007

• Retro Redux: The Romantic Side Of Jackie Gleason

  He was hard-drinking and loved to party, irascible at times but charming when he wanted to be.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 06, 2007

• Retro Redux: Gentleman Jim Reeves - The Country Music Crooner

  It would be a real shame to get so caught up in disparaging his move to the pop side that we forget...

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 02, 2007

• Retro Redux: The Quintessential Italian Crooner

  I'm not basing this conclusion on any type of scientific evidence, but it's just one of those things that sounds right...

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 29, 2007

• Retro Redux: When Lawrence Welk Became Cool

  If you're brave or open-minded enough to pursue reading in spite of your conventional mental image of Lawrence Welk, I congratulate you.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 27, 2007

• Retro Redux: Jerry Reed And His Friend Mr. Smirky

  It seems to me that there have always been actors I like to call "Mr. Smirky".

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 24, 2007

• Retro Redux: Saturday Matinees With The King Of The Cowboys

  Every kid had a favorite star and mine was always Leonard Slye — better known as Roy Rogers, the "King Of The Cowboys".

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 20, 2007

• Retro Redux: Benny Goodman Conquers Carnegie Hall

  When the idea of a jazz concert in Carnegie Hall first came up in late 1937, it actually wasn't...

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 18, 2007

• Retro Redux: Musical Memories - Early TV Themes

  It is a truism that our memories are often triggered in a variety of ways related to our senses.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 15, 2007

• Retro Redux: Harry James - More Than Just Betty Grable's Hubby

  He was probably the most talented former circus musician to ever hit the big time.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 13, 2007

• Retro Redux: In Appreciation Of Popcorn - Regular And Moog

  She put so much on the popcorn that even after it was all eaten, you could see pools of butter left in the pan.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 09, 2007

• Retro Redux: One More Toast To Anita O'Day - And To Her Mentor

  "Reefer" use among musicians of the time was not uncommon, but the laws were not forgiving...

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 07, 2007

• Retro Redux: Los Indios Tabajaras - Mystery From The Amazon

  Of course, it goes without saying that what's familiar to me might not be quite so familiar to you.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 04, 2007

• Retro Redux: Celebrating The New Year With Ray Stevens

  In the early '60s I was working in radio, mostly as a DJ but sometimes with added duties that included...

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 01, 2007

• Retro Redux: Willie Nelson - The Early Years

  I can't imagine anyone not instantly recognizing his grizzled face when they see it or his unique voice...

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Dec 30, 2006

• Retro Redux: Holiday Season Triggers Memories Of Dad

  I used to tell kids that my dad worked for the government, had a badge, and carried a gun.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Dec 28, 2006